Although Uchiha Setsuna had made up his mind, he could not approach Gen about the matter so soon.
Whether about the position of Clan Head or the plan of entrusting daughter and grandsons, nothing could be discussed until after Fugaku and the others were laid to rest.
While Setsuna and his daughter spoke in private, the Second Elder and Third Elder met secretly as well.
The sudden appearance of the Mangekyo Sharingan cast a heavy shadow over them both, filling them with unease. After a long exchange, they reached a consensus, they would join forces.
The odds of success were slim, but with the chance for power so close at hand, they could not simply let it pass.
But as for underhanded schemes? Neither dared. Against a Mangekyo wielder, the risk was far too great. If they failed, not only would their current authority vanish, but their families might be slaughtered in retribution.
Early the next morning, Uchiha Tadao led a squad toward the Land of Whirlpools to recover the fallen. Since Fugaku and the others' deaths could no longer be hidden, the departure was recorded openly in Konoha's gate logs.
At the gates, Kamizuki Izumo and Hagane Kotetsu were startled to see the entries. They immediately reported the matter upward. Soon after, Konoha's senior leadership, the so-called F4, received word: Fugaku and his group were dead.
Confusion rippled through them. Weren't they dispatched on a diplomatic mission to Kirigakure? How had they all perished?
One man, however, concealed satisfaction, Shimura Danzo. Orochimaru was already marginalized. Now, with the Uchiha Clan Head dead, how much support could Uchiha Gen truly expect? Even with Kushina's protection, there might soon be an opening to press him down.
To clarify matters, Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned Uchiha Setsuna, who now served as acting Clan Head and Chief of the Police Force. Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu all rushed to the Hokage Building to hear for themselves.
Setsuna gave a full report, then demanded Konoha's leadership take vengeance for Fugaku and the others. After all, they had died while on Konoha's business, representing the village in a diplomatic mission.
Hiruzen and the others agreed immediately, even Danzo.
The Fourth Hokage, the Chief of Police, and six of Uchiha's elite all slain by the same enemy; it was too great a humiliation. The F4 pledged Anbu and Root would investigate in secret, while every shinobi on missions beyond the village walls would be instructed to watch for the mastermind's trail.
Of course, promises were easier than results. With no target yet found, revenge remained out of reach. Even Jiraiya and Tsunade, wandering the wider world, had searched in vain.
When Setsuna departed, Danzo was the first to break the silence.
"Hiruzen," he said darkly, "the Uchiha Clan now has another Mangekyo Sharingan."
"I know," Hiruzen replied evenly, smoke curling from his pipe, his gaze unreadable.
"Knowing isn't enough. We must act..."
Hiruzen's glare cut him off. "And what is it you propose?"
Danzo pressed forward, voice sharp. "The clan has just lost its head and six of its best ninja. They are deep in grief and sensitivity. At the same time, the pride of a Mangekyo's appearance has lifted them to dangerous heights. With those emotions entwined, even the smallest spark could set off unrest."
"The war is not truly over, and Konoha's recovery is fragile. If disorder breaks out now, will you take responsibility for the consequences?"
The words stuck in Danzo's throat. He wanted to boast that he would, but he knew better.
Hiruzen tolerated many of his excesses, but never when they threatened the village itself. If Danzo endangered Konoha's stability, Hiruzen would cut him down without hesitation.
Seeing his hesitation, Hiruzen's anger boiled over. He jabbed the air with his pipe, voice harsh. "Do not play games behind my back, Danzo. Focus on Root. What Konoha needs now is stability above all else. Everything else must yield to that!"
"If you have energy to spare, put it into tracking the mysterious enemy. So much time has passed, and still not a single clue. Where have all those funds gone? Defeated by the same enemy twice, Konoha's name is already stained!"
The rebuke, delivered in front of Homura and Koharu, stung Danzo's pride. His face darkened, and he turned toward the door.
"Hmph. If you refuse to act, Hiruzen, you will regret it!" he spat, slamming the door behind him.
When he was gone, Homura spoke quietly. "Hiruzen… are we truly to do nothing?"
"Of course not," Hiruzen said. "But we cannot behave as recklessly as Danzo."
Koharu's eyes narrowed. "Then what do you suggest?"
"Conciliation," Hiruzen said. "We must bind Uchiha Gen's heart to this village. Has he not said before that unless driven out, he would never join that mysterious figure? For all that he lacks the so-called Will of Fire, he has proven himself time and again."
He began ticking off with his fingers. "Kikyō Mountain. The final campaigns of the Third War. His role on the Nine-Tails' Night. His recent expeditions. Again and again, he has shed blood for Konoha. And for such a man, what sense would it make to suppress him instead of cultivating his loyalty?"
"Danzo lets prejudice and perhaps grudges blind him. But that only plays into the enemy's hands. One mysterious Mangekyo wielder already torments us. Can we afford to push another to the same side?"
"The ability Gen displayed with his Mangekyo is troublesome, yes. But as long as his heart remains here, Mangekyo against Mangekyo works to our advantage."
He exhaled smoke, his voice hardening. "Do not fret over rumors of higher evolutions. His parents are gone, and he has no siblings. Mangekyo is his limit. And though powerful, those eyes have their flaws. With the strength Konoha still possesses, one Mangekyo cannot unseat us. Should he turn, I, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and even Danzo would be enough to crush him. Add Orochimaru, if need be. Their teacher and student together would still fail before us."
A surge of chakra flared unconsciously from him once more, the shadow of the 'Professor,' the Hero of Konoha.
"And that is without counting Kushina. Her bond to Konoha runs deep. She, too, would not turn easily."
Homura and Koharu exchanged looks, slowly nodding. His reasoning held. The danger was real, but not insurmountable and suppression could only make it worse.
"Compared to you, Hiruzen," Homura murmured, "Danzo still thinks too narrowly. His vision isn't wide enough, his judgment not steady enough."
"Yes, yes," Koharu agreed quickly.
Hiruzen's lips curved into a faint smile at their praise. If Danzo were his equal, why had the Hokage's seat never been his? Danzo's thinking was too extreme, his methods too reckless, his patience too thin.
What he did not say aloud was thi; by keeping Gen close through conciliation, if betrayal ever came, the chance of a clean, decisive strike would be far greater.
Was that despicable? Perhaps. But shinobi live and die by results, not morality. And for Konoha, even despicable means were justified.